Who cares how Iran is ruled? After the fall of Iraq, the prevailing mess in Afghan and a near collapse Pakistan, Iran is the only remaining island. India's better ties, will also indirectly help US in case things go out of hand, as they are already on a lost war. If it helps develop better relations, favorable regimes and friendly fuel, whats the harm? US senators may be concerned, but its their govt.'s duty to explain them. India shud stick to 123 as well as the pipeline.
RE:better ties
by Transformers on Sep 07, 2007 01:17 AM Permalink
Opposing Iran for the sake of US is nt acceptable, but opposing Irans Nuclear Weapons Program is absolutely necessary. We dont want another islamic nuclear bomb in our backyard... A nuclear pakistan is enough a headache we have, a Nuclear iran is disastrous.
RE:better ties
by kshitij tumbde on Sep 07, 2007 03:52 AM Permalink
Be a businessman , have good relations with both. You never know who can help when.
What lost war? The longer the US pretends the Iraq problem is worsening, the longer the US can maintain such a huge presence in the middle-east.
Don't be fooled by 4000 American troops dying in 5-6 years. That's nothing compared to American losses in Vietnam, that ran into the 50,000s and yet, they stayed on for decades.
RE:better ties
by Amjad Baig on Sep 07, 2007 03:29 AM Permalink
Writing is on the wall. Its just a matter of time ...
UK, US's biggest (should I say only), is almost out of Iraq. That puts huge pressure on already short marine force. Bush already had trouble convincing US congress for additional troops. Infact in recent surprise visit, Bush indicated troop pull-out from Iraq.
US during Vietnam era is not the same US now. Trade deficit is 6 times GDP. There is a BIG bubble in the form of Subprime crisis. God only knows how big it is and when its going to burst. UBS recently predicted that 10% correction in housing prices can see US entering recession period.
Keeping these things in mind, any sensible president would slowly try to cut unnecessary costs. If the words of "intellectually bankrupt" Donald Rumsfeld are to be believed, US doesn't believe in "nation building". But would be more than willing to do otherwise.
So, all in all, I think its just a matter of time before US declares that "fragile, nascent" Iraqi army/police is strong enough to take care of their own country and leave behind their mess.
RE:better ties
by Transformers on Sep 07, 2007 01:26 AM Permalink
Its better to be allied with a free democratic America thn to e allied with a totalitarian Iran
